# Sources of Supply

### Allotments

Allotments provide a decentralised and community-based source of food that can strengthen local resilience during disruptions to supermarket supply. They also offer opportunities for community engagement, skill-building, and sustainable food production. However, access to allotments is often limited, so understanding how to obtain one is important.

**How to get an allotment:**

* Apply through your local council – most councils manage allotment sites and waiting lists
* Search your council website for “allotments” or “community growing spaces”
* If demand is high, you may be placed on a waiting list (this can range from months to several years depending on the area)
* You must usually be a local resident and pay a small annual fee
* Some areas also offer community-run allotments or shared growing spaces as alternatives, so be sure to check for your area. 

{% embed url="<https://www.gov.uk/apply-allotment>" %}

Under the National Allotment Society guidance, local authorities have a duty to provide allotments where there is demand, meaning you can formally request provision if none are available in your area.

**What residents (allotment holders) can do:**

* Grow a variety of crops, including drought-tolerant and flood-resilient species
* Use water-saving techniques such as mulching and rainwater collection
* Improve drainage through raised beds to reduce flood risk
* Harvest, store, and preserve produce to reduce waste and extend supply

**What councils and local authorities can do:**

* Maintain and expand allotment provision in line with demand
* Protect allotment land within planning policy
* Provide infrastructure such as water access, composting facilities, and drainage
* Support community allotment schemes to widen access

Join the National Allotment Society, and range of benefits including free liability insurance, initial legal support, expert advice and much more.

{% embed url="<https://thenas.org.uk/>" %}

### Food Banks

#### Trussell Trust

The Trussell Trust is an organisation that stands as an anti-poverty charity and community of food banks.&#x20;

Together they are:&#x20;

* **1,400 food bank locations**
* **36,000 volunteers**
* **100,000s of community groups and schools, and millions of people around the UK** &#x20;

{% embed url="<https://www.trussell.org.uk>" %}

### FareShare

FareShare is a UK charity dedicated to the belief that no good food should go to waste. They redistribute surplus food to a network of 8,000 local charities that transform these supplies into nutritious meals. In 2023-24, the organisation reached nearly 1 million people and prevented significant carbon dioxide emissions by diverting 56,000 tonnes of food from waste.

\
FareShare also collaborates with partners like Felix, Marcus Rashford, and the Coronation Food Project to fight hunger across the country.

{% embed url="<https://fareshare.org.uk>" %}

### Community fridges

#### Community Fridge Network&#x20;

The Community Fridge Network, run by Hubbub, helps reduce food waste by redistributing surplus food through publicly accessible fridges in places like schools, community centres, and shops. Local organisations collect excess food from supermarkets, businesses, and households and make it freely available to anyone in the community. The initiative aims to prevent food waste while bringing people together and encouraging more sustainable food practices.

{% embed url="<https://communityfridgemap.org.uk/>" %}

Supermarkets

Gardens<br>